Isaiah 22:11

KJV

Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye made {H6213} also a ditch {H4724} between the two walls {H2346} for the water {H4325} of the old {H3465} pool {H1295}: but ye have not looked {H5027} unto the maker {H6213} thereof, neither had respect {H7200} unto him that fashioned {H3335} it long ago {H7350}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You also built a reservoir between the two walls for the water from the Old Pool; but you didn't look to Him who made these things; you had no respect for Him who fashioned them long ago.

Berean Standard Bible

You built a reservoir between the walls for the waters of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or consider Him who planned it long ago.

American Standard Version

ye made also a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But ye looked not unto him that had done this, neither had ye respect unto him that purposed it long ago.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 22:11 delivers a profound prophetic rebuke to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, highlighting their diligent physical preparations for an impending siege while simultaneously neglecting their spiritual dependence on God. The verse critiques their misplaced trust in human ingenuity—specifically, their construction of elaborate water defenses—rather than acknowledging and relying upon the divine Creator who fashioned them and their world long ago. It underscores a critical spiritual failure: prioritizing visible, self-made security over the unseen, sovereign provision of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the "Oracle Concerning the Valley of Vision" (Isaiah 22:1-14), which serves as a severe indictment against Jerusalem. The preceding verses (Isaiah 22:1-5) paint a stark picture of a city consumed by revelry and feasting, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness despite the imminent threat of destruction. Verses 6-10 meticulously detail the extensive military preparations undertaken by the people, including the dismantling of houses to fortify the city walls and the marshalling of resources. This sets the immediate stage for the specific critique of Isaiah 22:11, which zeroes in on their water defenses. The entire passage culminates in a severe divine pronouncement of judgment in [Isaiah 22:14](/isaiah/22-14 "Isaiah 22:14 - God's Irreversible Judgment"), explicitly stating that their actions demonstrated a complete disregard for God's role in their crisis, emphasizing that their focus on human defenses, as described in [Isaiah 22:8-11](/isaiah/22-8-11 "Isaiah 22:8-11 - Jerusalem's Self-Reliant Preparations"), was a spiritual offense.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical backdrop for this prophecy is the Assyrian invasion under King Sennacherib in 701 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Jerusalem faced an existential threat from the formidable Assyrian army, prompting the inhabitants, under Hezekiah's leadership, to undertake significant defensive measures. These included strengthening city walls, organizing military forces, and, most critically, securing their water supply. Historical accounts in [2 Chronicles 32:3-4](/2_chronicles/32-3-4 "2 Chronicles 32:3-4 - Hezekiah's Water Strategy") and [2 Chronicles 32:30](/2_chronicles/32-30 "2 Chronicles 32:30 - Hezekiah's Tunnel") specifically mention Hezekiah's project to stop up the Gihon spring and channel its water into the city, likely referring to what is now known as Hezekiah's Tunnel, which fed the Pool of Siloam. The phrase "ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool" vividly describes these impressive engineering feats. Culturally, there was a pervasive tendency in Judah to rely on alliances with powerful nations (such as Egypt) or on their own military and engineering prowess rather than on the covenant faithfulness and protective power of Yahweh, a recurring theme throughout Isaiah's prophecies (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")).
* **Key Themes:** The central and most prominent theme in Isaiah 22:11 is the profound **contrast between human self-reliance and divine dependence**. The people's meticulous physical preparations, while seemingly prudent from a human perspective, are exposed as a symptom of a deeper spiritual malady: they "looked unto" their own works and ingenuity rather than to God. This highlights a pervasive **spiritual blindness and idolatry**, where human effort and visible security become the object of trust, effectively displacing God from His rightful place of sovereignty. The verse powerfully reaffirms God's immutable identity as the **sovereign Creator and Sustainer** of all things, referred to as "the maker thereof" and "him that fashioned it long ago." It is crucial to understand that it is not the act of preparation itself that is condemned, but the *attitude* of self-sufficiency and the failure to acknowledge the ultimate source of security, life, and deliverance, a theme powerfully echoed in [Psalm 127:1](/psalm/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **made (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** From H6213, meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, fashion, form, make." Here, it refers to the physical act of constructing the water defenses. The same root is significantly used for "maker" later in the verse, creating a powerful and ironic contrast: the people "made" a ditch, but failed to look to their divine "Maker." This highlights the futility and spiritual offense of human creation attempting to secure itself apart from divine creation and provision.
* **looked (Hebrew, _nâbaṭ'_):** From H5027, meaning "to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; behold, consider, look, regard, have respect, see." This word implies a deliberate, focused, and often hopeful gaze, suggesting an expectation of help, understanding, or reliance. The indictment is that they did *not* direct this intense, hopeful gaze toward God, but rather solely toward their own physical provisions and engineering feats. It signifies a profound failure of spiritual perception, trust, and proper reverence.
* **fashioned (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_):** From H3335, meaning "to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution); fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose." This term emphasizes God's deliberate, artistic, and sovereign work in creation, often used in relation to forming humanity (e.g., [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - God Forms Man")). By using this word, Isaiah reminds the people that the very land, the city, and their lives were not accidental but divinely designed, purposed, and sustained. Their failure to "respect" or "look" to this divine "fashioner" is a profound act of ingratitude, spiritual rebellion, and a denial of God's foundational role.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool":** This clause describes the meticulous, impressive, and humanly commendable engineering efforts undertaken by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The "ditch" (Hebrew, _miqvâh'_ from H4724, meaning a collection or reservoir) and the channeling of water from the "old pool" (Hebrew, _bᵉrêkâh'_ from H1295, a reservoir, and _yâshân'_ from H3465, old) refer to the sophisticated water system constructed to ensure the city's survival during a siege. This was a practical, necessary, and humanly astute act of foresight and engineering, demonstrating their resourcefulness in a time of crisis.
* **"but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof":** This phrase marks the sharp pivot and introduces the core of the divine indictment. Despite their diligent physical preparations, the people failed to direct their gaze, their trust, and their ultimate dependence toward God, the ultimate "maker" (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_ from H6213, meaning doer or maker) of all things. Their focus was entirely on their own efforts and creations, ignoring the divine architect of creation and the sovereign controller of their circumstances and destiny. This reveals a profound spiritual disconnect.
* **"neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago":** This phrase powerfully reinforces the previous indictment, using an even stronger term for God's creative power and eternal nature. "Had respect" (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_ from H7200, meaning to see, regard, or perceive) emphasizes a profound lack of proper reverence, recognition, or acknowledgment of God's authority and providence. "Fashioned" (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_ from H3335, meaning to mold or form, like a potter) points to God's deliberate, purposeful, and intimate creation of the world and their very existence. The addition "long ago" (Hebrew, _râchôwq'_ from H7350, meaning remote, of old, or a great while to come) underscores God's eternal and foundational role as the ultimate source and sustainer of all reality, whose work infinitely predates and far surpasses any human endeavor.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 22:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of spiritual rebuke. **Contrast** is the most prominent, starkly juxtaposing the diligent human activity and self-reliance ("Ye made also a ditch...") with the profound spiritual neglect and lack of divine dependence ("but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago"). This highlights the irony and spiritual tragedy of their situation: they were busy securing their physical lives while ignoring the ultimate source of all life and security. **Metonymy** is present, as the "ditch" and "old pool" stand in for the entirety of human self-reliance, strategic planning, and the misplaced trust in physical defenses. The physical structures represent their spiritual misplaced trust. Furthermore, the repeated references to God as "the maker" and "him that fashioned it" utilize powerful **Divine Epithets** to emphasize God's fundamental and eternal role as Creator and Sustainer, contrasting His infinite power with the finite and temporary efforts of humanity. The language also contains a clear element of **Reproach**, directly accusing the people of their spiritual failing, making the divine displeasure explicit and unambiguous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a timeless theological warning against the pervasive human tendency toward self-sufficiency and the idolatry of human achievement. While prudence in preparation and the responsible use of God-given ingenuity are not inherently wrong, the sin condemned here lies in the *attitude* of the heart—when human effort replaces or overshadows divine reliance. The passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. To "not look" or "not have respect" to Him is to deny His fundamental identity and role in the universe, effectively placing human wisdom, strength, and resources on the throne that belongs to God alone. This spiritual amnesia, a forgetfulness of God's past deliverance and ongoing providence, is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, often leading to Israel's downfall. True security, therefore, is not found in the strength of walls or the abundance of water, but in humble, dependent trust in the living God who "fashioned it long ago" and sustains all things.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalm/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5-8 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Cursed is the One Who Trusts in Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 22:11 challenges us to critically examine where we place our ultimate trust, especially in times of crisis, uncertainty, or perceived threat. In a world that often celebrates self-reliance, technological advancement, and human ingenuity as the ultimate solutions, this verse serves as a vital and sobering corrective. While it is wise to make plans, exercise foresight, and prepare for the future, our preparations must never eclipse our fundamental dependence on God. The danger lies not in the "ditch" we dig, the technology we develop, or the strategies we employ, but in the heart that digs it, develops it, or plans it without looking to the "Maker." This passage calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility and spiritual awareness, recognizing that true security, provision, wisdom, and peace flow from acknowledging God's absolute sovereignty over all circumstances. When faced with personal challenges, societal anxieties, economic downturns, or global crises, are we primarily consumed with our own strategies and resources, or do we first and foremost seek the Lord, the ultimate source of all help and sustenance? This verse reminds us that even our most brilliant efforts and meticulous plans are ultimately futile and spiritually deficient unless they are rooted in and submitted to the divine will and provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most prone to relying solely on my own efforts, intellect, or resources, rather than seeking God's guidance and provision?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent awareness of God as the "Maker" and "Fashioner" of all things in my daily life, especially when facing challenges or making significant decisions?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that my preparations, plans, and pursuits are always accompanied by a spirit of humble dependence and trust in God?**
* **Does my immediate and long-term response to adversity reflect a primary trust in human ingenuity and self-sufficiency, or a profound and active reliance on divine sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What was the "ditch" and "old pool" mentioned in Isaiah 22:11?**

Answer: The "ditch" (Hebrew, _miqvâh'_, a collection or reservoir) and "old pool" (Hebrew, _bᵉrêkâh'_, a reservoir, and _yâshân'_, old) refer to the elaborate water engineering projects undertaken by the inhabitants of Jerusalem, most notably during the reign of King Hezekiah. Facing the imminent threat of an Assyrian siege, Hezekiah orchestrated the construction of a tunnel to divert the waters of the Gihon Spring from outside the city walls to a secure reservoir, the Pool of Siloam, within Jerusalem. This was a crucial defensive measure to ensure the city had a reliable water supply during a prolonged siege, as vividly described in [2 Kings 20:20](/2_kings/20-20 "2 Kings 20:20 - Hezekiah's Pool and Conduit") and [2 Chronicles 32:30](/2_chronicles/32-30 "2 Chronicles 32:30 - Hezekiah's Tunnel").

**Why was God displeased with their preparations if they were practical and necessary?**

Answer: God's displeasure was not with the act of preparation itself, as prudence and wise stewardship are often encouraged in Scripture. Rather, the condemnation in Isaiah 22:11 stems from the *attitude* behind their preparations: a complete lack of spiritual reliance and recognition of God's sovereign hand. They meticulously planned and executed their defenses, demonstrating remarkable human ingenuity, but they "have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago." Their diligent human efforts were undertaken in a spirit of self-sufficiency, effectively sidelining God as the ultimate source of their security, deliverance, and wisdom. The issue was misplaced trust and spiritual blindness, not the physical act of digging or building.

**How does this verse relate to modern life and our reliance on technology or human solutions?**

Answer: Isaiah 22:11 serves as a timeless and profound warning against the human tendency to place ultimate trust in our own ingenuity, whether it be in advanced technology, complex economic systems, political solutions, scientific breakthroughs, or personal abilities and self-help strategies. Just as the people of Jerusalem relied on their physical defenses and engineering feats, we can become overly dependent on human-made solutions, neglecting to seek God's wisdom, guidance, and sovereign hand in our lives and in the world. The verse reminds us that while we are called to be responsible stewards and to use the gifts and resources God has given us, our ultimate hope and security must always rest in the Creator, not in the creations or in our own finite efforts. It calls us to balance practical wisdom with profound spiritual dependence, remembering that true and lasting security comes from God alone, who "fashioned it long ago" and continues to sustain all things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 22:11, with its indictment of Jerusalem for failing to look to their "Maker" and "Fashioner," powerfully foreshadows humanity's deeper, pervasive failure to recognize and trust in God's perfect provision, ultimately revealed in Christ. The people of Jerusalem sought security in physical water systems and fortified walls, but Jesus reveals Himself as the true and eternal source of "living water" that quenches spiritual thirst forever ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water") and [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). Their misplaced trust in human engineering and self-reliance points to humanity's profound and desperate need for a divine solution to the problem of sin and death, a solution found only in the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Christ is not merely a "maker" in the earthly sense, but the very One through whom all things were made, the "firstborn over all creation," in whom "all things were created... and in him all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ, the Creator and Sustainer")). The failure of Jerusalem to "look unto the maker thereof" finds its ultimate reversal and fulfillment in the New Testament's call to "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")). He is the true and everlasting security, the "rock" upon whom a wise person builds their house, a foundation that will never fail ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")), standing in stark contrast to the temporary, ultimately insufficient, and spiritually misguided defenses of Jerusalem. In Christ, God Himself provides the ultimate and unfailing "ditch" of salvation, a wellspring of eternal life and security that never runs dry, making reliance on human efforts utterly obsolete for true spiritual and eternal well-being.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 7:7

¶ Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Jeremiah 33:2

Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD [is] his name;

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Isaiah 31:1

¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Isaiah 17:7

At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

2 Kings 25:4

And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.

Isaiah 37:26

Hast thou not heard long ago, [how] I have done it; [and] of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.